MORE than 96 per cent of people age 18 to 24 have a mobile phone compared to just 48 per cent of those aged over 65, according to new research.

The survey by Agilent Technologies Inc, also found that only 29 per cent of over-65s who have a mobile phone send text messages regularly, compared with 92 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds.

The younger generation was also found to be much greater users of more advanced functions, such as picture messaging, video downloading and internet surfing.

Use of picture messaging declined rapidly in people aged over 45, with only eight per cent of 45 to 54 year olds using the function compared to 42 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds.

"This research demonstrates that the use of more advanced mobile phone functions is still the preserve of the young," said Tom White, UK managing director at Agilent.

"Clearly a divide still exists in terms of technological awareness, although there is some evidence the technology gap between generations may be closing as mobile phones become easier to use through better design and product development."

Warning on the web

Children who are the most adept at using the internet also face the highest risks of encountering pornography and paedophiles online, researchers have warned.

Even children whose internet use is supervised by their parents are not protected from the dangers, the study from the London School of Economics found.

The number of children exposed to internet porn, bullying and invasions of privacy is likely to rise without greater efforts to make internet use safe, the academics said.

A chip off the old PC

A new computer chip up to 10 times faster than those in current PCs has been unveiled.

The Cell has been described by its makers as a "supercomputer on a chip" yet is wafer thin and about the size of a postage stamp.

The "ultra high-speed" of the microprocessor is likely to make digital, multimedia technology in the home a reality for householders in the future.